5 Key Tips for Creating a Resume That Will Get Responses

Recruiters spend very little time looking at each individual resume, so it is important to make sure that your resume is attention-grabbing and relevant. If it is not, your resume will likely be passed over.

This gives you a very short amount of time to make a good first impression with your resumé. If you know your way around interviews, there are several key tactics to make your resumé pass that test. Here are some of the biggest ones:

1) Show Your Skills First

The most important part of your resumé is the skills section. This is where you can really showcase what you bring to the table and what makes you stand out from the competition.

Make sure to list your skills in order of importance, and include a mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities that you can learn, such as programming or accounting. Soft skills are more general, interpersonal skills that are difficult to quantify, such as teamwork or communication.

2) Use Keywords

When employers are scanning resumes, they're looking for specific keywords that match the job description. If you want to be a stand-out candidate, make sure to include these keywords throughout your resume, including in your skills section.

Not sure what keywords to use? Look at the job description and make a list of the most important skills and qualifications. For example, if you’re applying for a job in marketing, you might want to include keywords like “social media” and “SEO.” By using the right keywords, you can make sure that your resume is being seen by the right people.

3) Highlight Your Achievements

Besides listing your skills and experience, make sure to highlight your accomplishments. This is what will really set you apart from the competition.

For each position, you’ve held, include a few bullet points detailing your biggest accomplishments. If possible, quantify your achievements with numbers. For example, if you increased sales by 10%, reduced costs by 20%, or managed a team of 5 people.

4) Remember That Less is More

When writing your resume, it's important to keep in mind that less is more. You want to sell yourself, but you don't want to come across as arrogant or presumptuous.

Use strong, clear language, and don't try to stuff too much information onto one page. Keep your resume short and sweet, and let your qualifications speak for themselves.

5) Take Time to Do Some Research

You may have to spend hours researching potential employers, writing cover letters, tailoring resumes and preparing for interviews. You may only have a limited amount of time to dedicate to your job search each day.

Don't forget to do some research on the company you're applying to work for. Learn about their mission, their values, and the kinds of people they like to hire. This will help you tailor your resume and cover letter to fit the company, and it will also give you a leg up in the interview process.

Conclusion

Once you have your resume ready, it’s time to start applying. When you do find a job that you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to apply. The sooner you apply, the better your chances are of getting the job.

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